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Ethanol
is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch
crops, such as corn. It can also be made from "cellulosic biomass"
such as trees and grasses. The use of ethanol can reduce our dependence
upon foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
E10 (gasohol)
E10 (also called “gasohol”) is a blend
of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline sold in many parts of the country.
All auto manufacturers approve the use of blends of 10% ethanol
or less in their gasoline vehicles.
E85
E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, can
be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are specially designed
to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two. FFVs are offered
by several vehicle manufacturers. To determine if your vehicle can
use E85, consult your owner’s manual or check the inside of
your car's fuel filler door for an identification sticker.
Cost. Cost varies regionally. It
is cheaper than gasoline in some areas, such as the Midwest, and
more expensive in others.
Availability. Several hundred filling
stations in the U.S. sell E85, and that number is increasing rapidly.
Visit the Alternative
Fuel Station Locator for locations of service stations selling
E85.
Performance. No noticeable difference
in vehicle performance when E85 is used.
MPG. FFVs operating on E85 usually
experience a 20-30% drop in miles per gallon due to ethanol’s
lower energy content.
Advantages & Disadvantages of E85
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
- Domestically produced, reducing use
of imported petroleum
- Lower emissions of air pollutants
- More resistant to engine knock
- Added vehicle cost is very small
|
- Can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles
- Lower energy content, resulting in
fewer miles per gallon
- Limited availability
- Currently expensive to produce
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